Surprise Surprise!

To be honest, I feel so invested and motivated these days to write..

And I really don't remember writing a drunk man before, so ofcourse this is going to be funny but okay -😂❤️

Also, somedays, I just want to rant so much while other days I don't even feel like talking at all.. guess, my mood swings are worst..
But I hope the chapter is not..

Enjoy Reading guys!

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Manik: Maaa

Manik called out, his voice slurred as he tried to get out of Aman's hold. Aman tried to hold him back but Manik pushed him away with an irritated glare.

The moment he was free, he pouted, almost child like and tried to take a step ahead only to stumble on his own feet, tripping and would have fallen down if not Niyonika who stepped forward on time and held him.

Manik giggled in her embrace, finding something funny about the whole situation but it was not the same for Niyonika. She looked at Aman in concern who in return had his gaze fixed on Manik. He looked worried for his boss as well.

Aman: He- He was at the bar, someone called from his phone when he almost passed out. He even got into a fight there-

Aman paused, and Niyonika stood there holding her breathe while trying to stable Manik who was only moving around trying to be comfortable.

Niyonika: And?

Aman: He messed up, Ma'am.

Niyonika: What do you mean he messed up, Aman?

Aman: There might be police involvement, Maam. I stopped them somehow today, but they know who he is, they might make it big to get more money.

Niyonika: what!

Aman: Yes, mam. Sir- Sir was disturbed the whole day. Is everything fine with Bhabhi?

Niyonika nodded her head. The news of Nandini falling down the stairs spread in the office but nobody knew more than that.

Niyonika: Everything will be okay. You go home.

Aman nodded his head, giving a worried glance to the now blabbering Manik before leaving the mansion. As he went Niyonika walked to the couch dragging Manik with her somehow and had him sit there before walking back to lock the door properly.

She turned and saw Manik almost sleeping in an uncomfortable position while muttering something under his breathe. Her heart broke as she rushed to her son. He reeked of alcohol completely, his shirt crumbled and half out of his pants, the top two buttons open while there was a big wet patch infront. He had even thrown his blazer on the floor carelessly and a choclate peeked out of the pocket.

Tears brimmed in her eyes. It was the first time her son had came home this drunk. She was so scared. She knew if Raj saw him like this, he wouldn't mind throwing him out. She sniffed, trying to hold back her tears but the traitors only fell down her eyes.

Niyonika: Manik bacha! What did you do.

Manik: I-I - I m-made her upset, Maa!

He looked at her with a frown grazing his face. He didn't want to upset Nandini but he had done it. He was so harsh and it was not letting him sit in peace. He let her go, and he shouldn't have.

Niyonika cried and sat beside him.

Manik: S-She l-left. I- I- ask her to come back Maa. I-I will s-say -sorry.

Niyonika: I will ask her to come back, Manik. Just don't do this again.

She cried more when he continued to murmur under his breathe, completely unaware of his surroundings. This was not her Manik. Her Manik was smart, he knew things even without seeing them, and today he had deliberately got drunk to the point he could understand nothing.

She wanted to cry out loud, complain why was life being so unfair to her children. Her heart knew it was just a phase, it would pass but even then, it broke seeing them this way.

She palmed her mouth, wiping her face firmly. She needed to be strong. Raj shouldn't see Manik in this state. She needed to get him to his room.

Somehow, with whatever strength she had, Niyonika dragged an almost unconscious Manik to his own room. She made him laid down on the bed and removed his shoes. He wouldn't allow anything else.

With her heart heavy, she caressed his head and turned around to leave the room when Manik held the end of her saree from behind.

Manik: Maa?

Niyonika: h-aan?

Manik:  A-Am I w-wrong?

He asked with a frown. The wine didn't help him forget his situation or Nandini, but it did help him let lose his feelings. Manik was subtly aware of what he was doing but he couldn't control it. He needed to let the pain out before it choked him.

While Niyonika didn't know what to answer him. She stood silent as he fumbled and sat down.

Manik: I-I d-don't want this Maa but- s-she won't u-understand..

He paused, looking down with a confused face as if thinking for a valid reason but could get nothing.

Manik: W-Why wouldn't she, Maa? E-Even I want to happy.. she won't understand.. that- I d-don't want to lose her..

Niyonika looked on as tears welled up in his eyes. He wiped them hastily and picked up the picture from the side table, one of the three he could not throw.

It was Nandini's, he had clicked it randomly when they went on a family picnic last year. She wore a black saree which was a gift from him and she looked so happy, laughing and running here and there with a huge smile on her face.

Manik: W-Why did I fall in love, Maa?

Niyonika gasped, shaking her head and cupped his cheek.

Niyonika: Manik, we will make her understand okay? Nandini would agree, I will talk to her.

Manik hiccuped, keeping back the picture and laid down.

Manik: D-don't scold her, she s-sad and I don't like it..

Niyonika: Manik!

Manik: and t-tell her to come back, Maa.. I miss her. Come back- tell her..

Niyonika kept standing there as he blabbered and fell asleep slowly. Tears continued to fall down her cheeks and she had to palm her mouth to stop the sound. She rushed to the door but stilled at her place seeing Raj standing there.

He didn't seem angry and she believed he heard everything. As a father, Raj had always been strict. As much as he gave his children the freedom to make decisions for themselves, he hated when they crossed their boundries, and coming home drunk was one of them.

And now she was scared for her son.

Niyonika: Raj! Manik-

Raj: He came drunk, didn't he?

She nodded, scared for how he would react. However, when instead of getting angry, Raj came inside and towards Manik, her eyes soften seeing the pain in his eyes. He let his hand slide on his son's forehead, caressing it softly while his eyes wandered around the scattered room. It was as if the storm had hit the room similar to the one that had hit his son's life.

Niyonika: Raj- Please don't get angry at him. He- He doesn't drink like this, we both know, right? I will make him understand tomorrow and this room, I will get it cleaned-

Raj: No, don't. He will get it clean when he would want to. We shouldn't mess up with his things like this.

If Manik wanted someone to clean his room, he would have got it done in the morning itself.

Niyonika wanted to argue but one look of him, she stayed silent. He looked at the sleeping Manik for one last time before leaving the room. Niyonika followed behind.

Niyonika: He was really tensed, Raj. You scolded him today-

Raj: I don't like scolding him either, Niyo. But he needs to understand what he is doing. I know it is not my place to tell him what to do but as a father, I cannot see my son ruining his happily married life.

Niyonika: I understand, Raj but do you think at this time, he needs this? He is already going through so much and we keep on telling him how to behave. He doesn't need this, he needs our support, Raj.

Raj: I know.

He looked down, disheartened while Niyo could only hold his hand, giving silent support. He sighed, his shoulders thumped down and forehead adoring these stress lines she hated so much. Raj shook his head and continued.

Raj: Sometimes, I am just so disappointed in myself. So much of bank balance and we can't provide happiness to our children? I am scared, Niyo- what if we lose Manik with Nandini too?

Niyonika gasped, standing up immediately and Raj looked at her.

Niyonika: We won't lose any of them, Raj. I will talk to Nandini, I will make her understand and she will come back, she has to.

Determination shone in her eyes while Raj shook his head softly.

Only if it was going to be so easy..

Nandini had locked herself in her room, away from everyone else. Her family tried to lure her outside, trying to make her understand in the pretence of just talking to her but she knew them too well. She needed some time alone to think about everything.

She glanced at the screen of her mobile, a small smile making its way on her face as she looked at Manik conversing with their baby in one of the video she took of him last month.

He knew she was filming him. His pink ears and the embarrassed smile on his face let it slide away. She chuckled and he dropped his head more on her stomach, wrapping his arms around her and she heard herself laughing in the moment that was just a memory now.

He looked so happy, smiling and laughing and telling their baby how happy he was or how he couldn't wait to hold him or her.

Nandini wanted to go back.

She missed him.

She missed his ever so charming smile, his twinkling eyes that shone brighter than those millions of stars out there in the sky. She missed the warmth of his arms.

Why did she have to leave? He didn't tell her to go. She should have just walked to their room, they could have talked and solved it together but here she was, away from him.

A small part of her was angry at him. Why didn't he stop her? He had promised her he wouldn't let her go but the moment she said she wanted to go, he told his mother to let her go.

Her heart and mind was in a never ending debate. Her heart sided with him but her mind told her she was not entirely at fault. He was wrong too, she just ruined it all by leaving home.

But maybe she could mend it. She could go back. She should call him atleast. In that way, she would even be sure of his safety.

Nandini knew her husband was a child at heart. He might have locked himself in the office all the day. How many employees he might have fired today? One, two, three, Nandini didn't know. She didn't need to worry, she knew he would make sure the employees get a deserving and a good job somewhere else.

He would have been such a mess without her, just like she is without him.

While Nandini was still deciding what to do, her mobile rang flashing Niyonika's number. Nandini stilled at her place, her gaze fixed on the phone as every negative thought occupied her mind.

Was her Manik okay?

Nandini: Maa?

Niyonika: Nandini! Bacha, please come back!

Nandini's heart only ached more hearing the woman on the end cry in stress. He was not fine. Niyonika's tone was giving it away.

Nandini: Manik- Is he fine, Maa?

Niyonika: Nothing is okay, Nandini! Nothing is! Manik- he came home drunk, Nandini.

Nandini: What!

Nandini could not beleive her ears. Yes, Manik drinks occasionally but she had never seen him drink to the point it would worry someone. He was always sober even when he drank.

Niyonika: He- He is messed up, Nandini. He- He wouldn't stop calling out for you!Please come back! Please bacha!

Manik came home drunk.

Because of her.

Nandini gulped. The realisation hit worse than a truck would have done. It was all because of her.

She put her child in danger first, and now Manik was not fine because of her.

He had never ever came home drunk before. She wanted to slap herself so hard. It was all her mistake. Everything was her fault.

Niyonika: Nandini?

Nandini looked down, a traitor escaping her eyes as she took a shaky breathe. She had to set the things right.

Nandini: I am so sorry, Maa.

She ended the call the right away. She was not even sure if Niyonika heard her but Nandini had to apologize.

Like she had to go and see him tomorrow.

And make sure she doesn't ruin anything further.

To Be Continued.

Well, Guess what is happening next?

What do you think Nandini is gonna do now? But okay - she finally considered going back..

Anyways, I guess this seperation will be over soon... And I hope you people are not losing your interest🤧❤️

See you guys soon!

Probably, next week now.

Thankyou, Have a nice sleep..